Combating Deadly Infections

Researchers have identified a potentially deadly strain of bacteria as the source of prolonged illness and sometimes death among hospitalized patients. It is particularly prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic region, and the United States ranks second in the world in reported cases of the bacteria. The bacteria is Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureun or (MRSA).

So Just what are we doing about it?

• First we bring together various hospital units to identify
  the best procedures to stop infectious bacteria.
• Then we help develop hospital networks so that information and
  effective control strategies are rapidly shared throughout the CareFirst
  service area and beyond.

Our collaboration with the Maryland Patient Safety Center, is a fight to reduce the spread of MRSA in hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis centers throughout Maryland and the National Capital area. This collaborative initiative focuses on behavioral change called Positive Deviance. Participating hospitals provide their clinical data to the National Healthcare Safety Network of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The infection is transmitted in numerous ways:

• From patient to patient,
• Through the hands and clothes of hospital workers
• By touching equipment shared by patients or health care workers.

Hospital personnel, as well as hospital patients, can be the source of this infection without displaying symptoms.